England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Brill All Saints

The Parish

The parish of Brill lies in the far west of Buckinghamshire forming a short stretch of the border with neighbouring Oxfordshire. Brill is located roughly 7 miles northwest of the Oxfordshire market town of Thame and sits, in lanes, a little over a mile east of the B4011 road which connects Thame with Bicester. Brill is a large village sitting atop a distinct hill, the highest land for some distance, with properties gathered closely around the village centre and its green. brill has a long history, a Royal residence was maintained here for several centuries and, in particular, Edward the Confessor used this residence as a base for hunting trips into nearby Bernwood Forest. Brill almost became a market town, one was granted but the larger settlements of Thame & Bicester largely assumed that role. Brill had a mixed economy, whilst the surrounding parish was extensively used for pastoral farming, the stiff clay soils being unsuitable for arable growing, that clay formed the basis for an industry in pottery, tile & brick. The pitted surface of the nearby common is a relic of clay extraction and 14th century kilns have been archaeologically excavated in the village. Whilst Brill sits on a hill all drainage makes its way south eventually, by either the Thame or the Ray & Cherwell, to eventually join the Thames and reach the North Sea through the capital. Brill is sited at around 180 metres above the sea, quite  a height for its county, away from the Chilterns, and the highest ground for many a mile. Brill parish was slightly larger than is usual in Buckinghamshire parishes, covering 3,100 acres it would have supported a population of close to 1,400 parishioners. In Domesday times Brill was already a Royal preserve, held directly by King William it could offer an impressive 20 ploughs, meadows & woodland as well as the Royal hunting forest, there was also a mill, which still sits on the northern edge of the village.

The Church

All Saints church sits towards the southeastern edge of the village tucked away down the dead-end lane of Church Street. Whilst the church has medieval origins such was the extent of the 19th century restoration that most visible fabric dates from that period rather than earlier, what remains is also debatably in situ and much has been reused or at least reset. Scraps of detail indicate that the original church was Norman and aisle-less and from the 12th century - a round-headed window in the nave a blocked window in the chancel are dateable to the 12th century. The chancel arch still remains and this is 13th century whilst the western tower is clearly a Perpendicular addition. The southern aisle retains 16th century late-Perpendicular windows whilst internally the chancel roof is a fine 17th century piece. The restoration of the late-1880s was thorough and largely resulted in today's building. Church Street leads eastwards off the main route through the village and splays out at the church's end to allow parking for a limited number of cars. A low wall is topped by post & rail fencing around the churchyard which has somewhat restricted views there being a number of trees close to the favoured southern aspect.